5G

The name of the mobile telecommunications standards beyond 4G, it succeeds the 4G, 3G and 2G systems. 5G performance targets high data rate, reduced latency, energy saving, cost reduction, higher system capacity, and massive device connectivity.

Historical perspective: As of 2013, any new capabilities were still being grouped under 4G standards. 5G Home Internet service began in October 2018. 5G Ultra Wideband began rolling out in April 2019, and is available in parts of 1,700 cities. 5G Nationwide covers well over 2,000 cities.

What is 5G? Since the first commercial wireless network went live in 1986, we’ve built a new one about every decade. The first-generation network—1G—allowed voice calls over bulky “brick” phones. The second gave us digital texting. The mid-2000s ushered in mobile internet connectivity. The next decade brought 4G and broadband video streaming. The dramatically faster connectivity with 5G unlocked an array of technologies, from autonomous cars that share traffic data to immersive virtual reality games. It’s not just a phone technology, in many territories, it replaced wired broadband in the home and allows for billions of other connected devices.